The Root Faves: Top Tumblrs to Follow

The popular microblogging site is filled with Internet goodies -- from fabulous vintage photos to cutting-edge fashion finds to tongue-in-cheek jokes about rappers and sports icons. Here are our favorites.

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  I'm Not Racist but ...

  In an era of undying political correctness, it's easy to forget that fervent racism still exists. I'm Not Racist but ... [4] illustrates that racism's newest bastion may be on Facebook. Using openly accessible Facebook posts and comments, a lone college student regularly posts the unabashed racist rants of unnamed (but pictured!) Facebook users, many of whom want you to know that they're "not racist, but ... "

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  Vintage Black Glamour

  Dating as far back as the early 1900s, the photos on Vintage Black Glamour [5] -- some regal, some playful, some hip -- all pay homage to timeless black beauty. VBG displays images from Jet magazine covers, newspaper advertisements and several other sources from the 20th century. Click through the site to find images of unknown black folks, as well as photos of iconic black figures like Marvin Gaye and Ella Fitzgerald.

  Captions by Akoto Ofori-Atta

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  What the F*** Is Michael Jordan Wearing?

  If you've ever asked yourself what the f--- Michael Jordan is wearing, be warned that this Tumblr does not provide an answer. Instead, it offers up several reminders of why you ever wondered about the sports icon's fashion sense in the first place. Consider this photo collection [6] of the basketball icon's most hideous ensembles, which include sweater-vest disasters [7], head-to-toe baby blue sweat suits [8] and very questionable denim choices. [9]This Tumblr is a comical reminder that nowadays, striving to be like Mike is quite literally not a good look.

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  A Thick Girl's Closet

  A Thick Girl's Closet [10] spotlights young, fierce women bucking mainstream fashion trends and celebrating their curves. This fashion Tumblr belongs to 21-year-old Sha-Sha, a self-described plus-sized student obsessed with clothes and style. Sha-Sha posts photos of her bold fashion endeavors, along with those of several young voluptuous girls who vary in size and ethnicity.

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  Black Culture

  The one-stop shop for all things black in the blogosphere, Black Culture [11] links to images from other sites, providing an assortment of gorgeous photos in black fashion, history, literature, music, art and celebrity. The content is just as broad and inclusive as its name suggests: A photo of Amber Rose and Nicki Minaj is on display next to an old black-and-white picture of a man from the Belgian Congo. [12]

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  Fiddy's Biddies

  Check out a collection of 50 Cent's favorite fans on Fiddy's Biddies [13], a Tumblr dedicated to the women 50 flirts with on Twitter. The true delight of this Tumblr is that 50's nondiscrimination policy is front and center. His flirtatious ways know no color, age, size, sex or any other bounds. Warning: The photos and accompanying tweets can get raunchy but may leave you in stitches from laughter.

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  Street Etiquette

  In a blogosphere where women dominate fashion, Street Etiquette [14] stands out as one of the few blogs dedicated to black men and style. Men are the central focus of the posts, which feature impressive modern images of black urban-male street style without being entirely exclusive: Striking photos of stylish women are also sprinkled throughout the site.

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  This Is Africa

  For a break from the hordes of articles and images that depict Africa as desolate, violent and culturally backward, visit This Is Africa [15], a Tumblr committed to celebrating the richness and diversity of the continent. With vintage photos and positive news from all regions, this site's mix of art, music and hard news makes for an insightful and complete snapshot of Africa.

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  Of Another Fashion

  Of Another Fashion [16] differentiates itself from other fashion blogs by dealing specifically with the contributions that women of color have made to fashion throughout history. Creator Minh-Ha T. Pham describes it as "an alternative archive of the not-quite-hidden but too often ignored fashion histories of U.S. women of color." With stunning images of black, Asian and Latina fashion icons, Of Another Fashion reminds us that fashion history is not as simple as black and white.

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  The Smithian

  Danyel Smith, editor-in-chief of Billboard magazine, moves beyond music in the Smithian [17], a digest of photos and comments that make bold statements about current events. In true microblogging form, Smith tackles heavy subjects -- such as the death of Osama bin Laden and ideas of a postracial America -- with few words, subtly communicating to her followers that "everything is politics."

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  Blame It on the Boogie

  In Blame It on the Boogie [18], writer, poet, mental-health activist and mother Bassey Ikpi chronicles the life and times of her precocious 4-year-old "man-child," Boogie. This collection of exchanges between mother and son -- including one in which Boogie delivers a well-reasoned explanation as to why he believes in the Easter Bunny but not Santa Claus -- is as endearing and charming as it is hilarious.

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  Black Love Is a Beautiful Thing

  Black Love Is a Beautiful Thing [19] is a showcase for powerfully touching photos of black couples from television, film and everyday life. Featuring a wide range of couples -- young and old, gay and straight, famous and unknown -- this Tumblr is a fine tribute to black romance, highlighting black affection in all of its iterations.

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  Queerly

  Queerly [20] is a smart, sassy site devoted to the happenings and thoughts of those who identify as queer. Focusing mainly on gender and sexuality, it uses video, text and photos to tackle complicated issues -- including what it's like to be gay in Uganda and an instructional piece on how not to offend transgender people.

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  The Cosby Show Sweater Project

  The Cosby Show Sweater Project [21] documents the hit 1980s sitcom's unofficial garment of choice: the sweater. TCSSP takes you on a trip back to a time when argyle and stripes weren't the only players in the pattern game and turns the unforgiving fashion choices of the 1980s into 21st-century art. While the sweaters offer enough amusement, be sure to check out Theo's gilded silk "Gordon Gartrell" with its asymmetric pocket.

 

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